WILKES-BARRE — It’s been a down year for the Pittston Area team.
For the second straight season, the Patriots missed the District 2 Class 3A Duals Tournament and were winless in Division 1 of the WVC for the first time in decades.
But no matter how much the team struggles, the Patriots always seem to do well in the individual postseason. That proved true on Friday night, the first day of the District 2 Class 3A Championships at the Kingston Armory when Pittston Area advanced two wrestlers to Saturday’s semifinals, which start at 10 a.m.
Leading the charge is 120-pound junior Ryan Lombardo, who picked up an upset knocking off the No. 2 seed in the bracket, Machias Magill from Delaware Valley, 3-2.
Lombardo got an escape in the third period to go up by one point then held off takedown attempts to nab the victory and reach the district semis for the first time. He now will face Crestwood’s Jordan Miale for the right to go to the final. Magill was one of two No. 2 seeds to fall with the other being Dallas’ Kade Kravits, who was defeated by DelVal’s Jack Dardia in the 126-pound quarters.
“I just really wanted it. I knew I (could) do it. And I got a girlfriend in the stands I gotta impress a little bit,” Lombardo said. “(Late in the match) I just kept good hand control, good stance, reacted well to the shots. I just paid attention and wrestled my match.”
Joining Lombardo in the semis from the Patriots is 160-pounder Jason DeBoard, who has battled injuries over the last two years. Entering the event with a 6-5 record, DeBoard pinned Hazleton Area’s Jeremy Aquino in 1:10 in Friday’s quarters to reach the semis. DeBoard takes on Abington Heights’ Owen Hivner in the semis.
“It’s a big confidence boost (for the team),” Lombardo said.
Hazleton Area – which won the district duals tournament earlier this month – joins Tunkhannock, West Scranton and Delaware Valley with seven semifinalists each to lead 3A.
In the semis for the Cougars are Jake Maurer (106) – who won his 100th career match in the preliminary round – Charles Everdale (113), Anthony Martoccio (126), Jimmy Hoffman (132), Jake Marnell (145), Shane Noonan (182) and Carson Kinney (195).
The Cougars also lead the race for the team title with 85 points. They lead second-place West Scranton (68 points), Tunkhannock (66.5) and Delaware Valley (63.5).
The Tigers’ seven semifinalists are David Evans (106), David Gavek (113), Gavin D’Amato (120), Josh Beeman (126), Tommy Traver (132), Sam Rice (195) and John Walsh (285).
“We had a good week of practice. The kids have been working hard,” Tigers coach Bob Hegedty said. “Just keep them healthy and keep them battling through. …We’re just hoping for a good day of wrestling and to qualify some kids for regionals.”
Walsh might be the biggest surprise for the team entering the tournament with a .500 record of 16-16. But he won two bouts, including ousting No. 3 seed Corey Harrison from Coughlin in the quarters with a pin in overtime. Wrestling just two years, the senior has a career record of under the .500 mark, but he’s now just one win away from being in the final.
“I’m really happy for him. He’s doing well,” Hegedty said about Walsh. “He’s been putting the time in and working hard. His only regret is that he didn’t come out sooner. He started last year as a junior and he says everyday that’s his biggest regret, that he didn’t start in junior high.”
Crestwood and Dallas each have four semifinalists from the WVC, while Wyoming Valley West and Coughlin both advanced three to semis. Dallas’ top seeds of Alec Sampson (152), Steven Newell (160) and Xavier Barber (170) are joined by Shawn Henninger (220).
Ron Grevera (145), Justin Lukashewski (160) and Liam Stone (170) join Miale as semifinalists from the Comets.
Valley West’s J.J. White (106), David Krokowski (113) and Landon Stanislow (138) reached the final four of their brackets, while Coughlin’s Jake Brown (126), Josh Brown (132) and Jake Cole (170) also advanced.
Krokowski is the top seed in his bracket and a returning champion, while White is second. But both workout together which has helped them both, Spartan coach Ryan Vassello said.
“I’m very impressed with how they all wrestled,” Vassello said. “That’s a good one-two punch right there. Having a 106-pounder of that caliber and a 113-pounder of that caliber. They motivate each other throughout the week.”
